CELTIC ace Ki Sung-Yueng will travel the globe this week dreaming of treble glory – and unsure if he will play a key role in it.

The South Korean midfielder flies off home this week to play against Kuwait and has already been ruled out of next weekend’s clash against Aberdeen as a result of his jet-set life.

With competition so great for places in the Celtic midfield right now, missing a game can be a costly business for any player.

And for Ki that could be especially so with Celtic’s treble hopes going on the line in the month of March.

The title should be wrapped up next month and then there’s the not insignificant matter of the League Cup Final against Kilmarnock.

A Scottish Cup clash against Dundee United is also on the horizon and Ki’s appetite is whetted by it all.

It remains to be seen if he can savour most of the action from the centre of midfield or the centre spot in the subs bench.

We have something like 12 games left so I want to contribute in every game I play

Celtic ace Ki Sung-Yueng

Yet the midfielder is philosophical about the fact he could do his club career harm by being so dedicated to his country.

For him it’s just part of the deal when you’re an Asian footballer committed to playing week in, week out in Europe.

Ki said: “This week we play against Kuwait at home.

“I will miss the Aberdeen game but will be back next Monday.

“But it really doesn’t matter who plays in my place because now whoever plays in midfield is doing very well – Browny, Victor, Joe, me – there are so many players in the middle so I am not concerned about the effect of me not playing.

“If I play games I want to help the team to get better.

“We have something like 12 games left so I want to contribute in every game I play.

“The next month is exciting – definitely.

“These chances do not come normally – the chance to win the league, League Cup and FA Cup.

“It is going to be very interesting and amazing because it has not happened in history much.

“We are really looking forward to concentrating on every single game.”

Ki’s itinerary this week is to board a flight to Amsterdam today and then take the 10-hour flight to Seoul.

He is fiercely proud of his country which is of course nuts about football. Yet there are hazards involved for the Korean on international duty.

On a previous trip he ended up in hospital – the stress of flying so many miles and playing games in quick succession taking its toll.

Ki hopes his body is able to adapt better to the routine in the months and years ahead.

He added: “For me it is not easy to travel back to my country.

“There is the time difference. It is very tiring.

“It is a great honour to represent my country. Everyone is proud to play for their country but it is very tiring and it is very hard. But it is my decision. I come from Asia and I have to play in Europe to learn, but even though I am young I get tired.

“I have to overcome things. This season I have played a lot of games.

“I have experienced a lot of games in Europe and in the SPL but I want to finish with three trophies.

“Hopefully, I will not be sick again. I do not think so.

“That time I was playing two games a week for a while and then I went to Korea, to Japan, a lot of journeys.

“European players never experience this kind of thing, this kind of travel.

“If the manager does not like me, I can have a rest but he is still picking me so I should go.”

Hoops manager Neil Lennon hopes Ki and the other 11 men he has away with their nations all come back in one piece for the month that lies ahead.

Lennon said: “I have 12 players away on international duty and I’ll be like a concerned parent waiting on the phone call that says they are OK.

“The next time I’ll see a lot of these lads is Friday and that’s a worry, but it’s part of the game now.

“I was really pleased with the win against Motherwell. At 1-0 up there’s always a concern but in truth I always felt that we were in the ascendancy and our goalkeeper didn’t have a save of note to make.”